Cases of men reporting domestic abuse have more than doubled across the county – but there are no safe houses or refuges for victims to escape to.

Figures obtained from Hertfordshire Constabulary revealed that cases of male victims reporting domestic abuse rose from 522 in 2012 to 1,251 in 2015.

This compares to a 46 per cent increase in reported domestic abuse cases generally over the past year.

In response to questions from this paper, the force also revealed there are no male refuges or safe houses in Watford, Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Dacorum and St Albans.

Cllr Richard Thake, who is in charge of community safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We are pleased to see that more male victims of domestic abuse are coming forward to report abuse and seek help.

“Men often find it difficult to tell someone that they are being abused and it is good news that those barriers are coming down.

“While we currently commission six refuge organisations to provide housing related support, we are very aware that at the moment there is no support for male victims.

“We are currently conducting a review of refuge provision in Hertfordshire and the lack of support for male victims as well as other vulnerable clients is being looked at as part of that.

“Refuges are undeniably important, but our main aim is to prevent abuse from happening in the first place and to provide help and support as early as possible when it is.

“I would encourage anyone who is experiencing abuse to contact the domestic abuse helpline on 08 088 088 088 or visit their website at www.hertssunflower.org.”

Speaking anonymously to Hertfordshire Constabulary, a male victim of domestic abuse spoke about how he felt embarrassed and ashamed to report being a victim.

He said in a recorded interview with police: “I initially thought domestic abuse was not something that happened to a man. I could not stand up for myself but I was wrong.

“It could happen to anyone. The message is clear. If you are suffering from domestic abuse there is no shame in admitting you are a victim.”

Another victim said he wants to let people know it does not just happen to women but men as well and it is not just about violence but also controlling behaviour.

Notifiable crimes are those which the Home Office requires notification of on a regular basis.

Figures obtained in a Freedom of Information request showed that in Watford there were 34 notifiable reports from male victims in 2012, which increased to 132 in the space of three years yet still there are no safe houses in the borough.

Dacorum had the highest increase from 55 in 2012 to 163 in 2015. Three Rivers was the lowest with only 79 reported last year compared to 28 in 2012.

There were only 59 notifiable reports in 2012 across Hertsmere, which increased to 101 in 2015. In St Albans there were 36 reports in 2012 but 121 in 2015.

Mark Brooks, chairman of charity Mankind Initiative, said: “With this level of male domestic abuse victims reporting the police, the councils and the local health service have to ensure that they are providing the level and quality of support those men deserve especially if they have children.

“The fact that there is no refuge or safe house in Hertfordshire is of great concern and as men will need the opportunity to find a safe place to escape to even more so if they have children.

“This is something that surely requires urgent attention. For any man in need please call the Herts Sunflower helpline or contact us.”

According to Mr Brooks, a person who is in a domestic abusive relationship is less likely to leave their partner if there are children involved.

In Hertfordshire there is a helpline for all victims of domestic abuse called Herts Sunflower.

In Watford there is a safe house for women which can accommodate up to eight women and a privately-run refuge in Hertsmere.

Hertsmere Borough Council does not directly fund places at the refuge but it provides grant funding annually to the house.

In January, Hertfordshire Constabulary launched a new unit to deal specifically with domestic abuse.

The Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU) is based at Hatfield police station and deals with domestic abuse cases from across the country.